Dayton Duo Named USC Men’s Soccer All-Americans
Dayton Duo Makes History with All-America Honors
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The University of Dayton men’s soccer program is celebrating a historic achievement as seniors joseph Melto Quiah and hjalti Sigurdsson were both named USC All-Americans on Friday. This marks the first time in program history that Dayton has had two All-Americans in the same year.
Melto Quiah, a Liberian native, capped off a stellar three-year career with career-highs in goals (8), assists (6), points (22), and shots (87), leading all of Division I in shots. His impressive performance earned him First Team All-Atlantic 10, First Team All-Region, and A-10 All-Championship Team honors.
“Joseph has been a dynamic force for us on the field,” said Dayton head coach Dennis Currier. “His speed, skill, and scoring ability have made him a constant threat to opposing defenses.”
Sigurdsson, an Icelandic centerback, adds this prestigious honor to his Academic All-America award earned earlier this week. He led all defenders in goals, assists, and points in Division I while excelling in the classroom, pursuing a master’s degree in engineering. Sigurdsson was named A-10 Defender of the Year, First Team All-Conference, and First Team All-Southeast region.
“Hjalti is a true student-athlete,” Currier said. “He’s a dominant force on the field and an remarkable student. We’re incredibly proud of his accomplishments both on and off the pitch.”
This recognition adds to Dayton’s rich soccer history, bringing the total number of All-Americans in program history to nine.Melto Quiah and Sigurdsson join a distinguished list that includes Amass Amankona (2015), Chris Rolfe (2004), Denny Clanton (2003), R.J. Kazuba (2000), Bob Rohrbach (1975, 1976), and Pat Obiaya (1966).
Sigurdsson becomes only the third Flyer to achieve the remarkable feat of being named both Academic All-American and All-American in the same year, joining Amankona and Kazuba.
Dayton Duo Makes History with All-America Honors: A Conversation with Coach Currier
NewsDirectory3.com: Congratulations coach Currier on this historic achievement! Having two players named all-Americans in the same year is incredible. What does this say about the program you’re building at Dayton?
Coach Dennis Currier: This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. It’s not just about Joseph and Hjalti, although they’ve certainly earned this recognition. It’s about the culture we’ve created, the commitment from every player, and the support from our coaching staff.
NewsDirectory3.com: Both Melto Quiah and Hjalti Sigurdsson had notable seasons.Can you talk about their individual contributions to the team’s success?
Coach Currier: Joseph is a dynamic force. His speed, skill, and scoring ability made him a constant threat to opposing defenses. His leadership both on and off the field was invaluable to our team’s success.
Hjalti is a true student-athlete. He’s a dominant force on the field, excelling as a center back and leading all defenders in goals, assists, and points in Division I. And he does this while pursuing a master’s degree in engineering!
NewsDirectory3.com: Sigurdsson also earned Academic All-American honors this week. How important is academic achievement to your program?
Coach Currier: It’s absolutely essential. We want our players to succeed both on the field and in the classroom. Hjalti is a shining exmaple of what a true student-athlete can achieve.
NewsDirectory3.com: With this achievement, you now have nine all-Americans in program history. What does this mean for the future of Dayton soccer?
Coach Currier: This is a special moment for our program, and it’s a stepping stone for even greater things to come. We have a strong foundation built on hard work, talent, and a commitment to excellence. We’re excited to see what the future holds for Dayton soccer.